Wesley Palms Retirement Community, at 2404 Loring St., is conducting a shoe collection drive through Oct. 14 to raise funds for Alzheimer’s San Diego. Alzheimer’s San Diego will receive funds based on the number of pairs collected as Funds2Orgs will purchase all of the donated goods. Those dollars will benefit San Diego families impacted by dementia and fund research for a cure. Anyone can help by donating gently worn, used or new shoes at Wesley Palms Retirement Community. Drop-off hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. The goal of the drive is to gather 2,500 pairs of shoes.
All donated shoes will then be redistributed throughout the Funds2Orgs network of microenterprise partners in developing nations. Funds2Orgs helps impoverished people start, maintain and grow businesses in countries such as Haiti, Honduras and other nations in Central America and Africa. Proceeds from the shoe sales are used to feed, clothe and house their families. One budding entrepreneur in Haiti even earned enough to send to her son to law school.
“We are excited about our shoe drive,” said Ben Geske, executive director at Wesley Palms. “We know that most people have extra shoes in their closets they would like to donate to us and help local families affected by Alzheimer’s while also helping the less fortunate overseas become self-sufficient. It’s a win-win for everyone,” added Geske.
By donating shoes to Wesley Palms, the shoes will be given a second chance and make a difference in people’s lives. “In 2017, your generosity helped more than 32,000 San Diegans affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias. People living with the disease found community and support through our social activities and early-stage programs. Caregivers were able to plan for the difficult road ahead through our classes and workshops, support groups and one-on-one sessions with dementia experts. And together, we grew our free ALZ Companions respite program into the largest of its kind in the nation, providing family caregivers with thousands of hours of relief,” according to Alzheimer’s San Diego’s website.
